Tucker (The Family Simon 1)

“Out for a run. Is that a goddamn crime?”

“You didn’t take your cell.”

Tucker wiped sweat from his brow, a sarcastic comment bubbling up, but then he froze, stomach clenched.

“Is she…is she talking?”

Teague was already headed outside. “Yeah, Tuck. She’s awake. She’s finally conscious and talking, so get your ass in gear….—We’re headed to the hospital.”

Tucker followed his brother outside where a car was waiting, and they rode to the hospital in silence. He’d been wanting this moment to happen ever since he’d arrived in Havana. But now that he was so close, Tucker wasn’t sure he was ready to face a hard truth.

Or maybe nothing at all. Maybe this woman wouldn’t have any answers.

“You ready for this?” Teague asked when they pulled up to the hospital. Mr. Sanchez was waiting for them, his face calm as always.

Tucker sighed and ran his hand over the thick stubble on his chin. “Nope. I have the feeling that my life is about to change again, and I have no idea if it’s headed in the direction that I want it to.”

He sank back into the seat and closed his eyes for a moment. “God, for the longest time, I wanted Marley alive and well and home with me. It drove me crazy, you know? Thinking that she was out there somewhere. That she needed me. That she was in trouble, and I couldn’t get to her.”

His eyes flew open, and he turned to Teague. “I bought the old Blackheath place.”

Teague didn’t say anything at first, most likely because he was thinking that Tucker was fucking crazy. The old Blackheath place was a rundown Antebellum mansion up the coast, about an hour from his parents place in Florida. The estate was in ruins and had fallen a long way from its notorious beginnings. Built in the 1800’s by a pirate, John Le Black, it was home to his wife, a woman of means herself and a lineage traced back to the court in England.

It had been seized by the government in the early 19th century and at one time, had been used as a retirement home. But it had fallen on tough times and even though considered a historical estate, was in danger of being condemned.

“When the hell did you do that?” Teague asked.

“About a year ago.”

“Let me rephrase. Why the hell did you buy that place? That’s a money pit, if I ever saw one.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought of maybe fixing it up. I told myself I’d done it because Marley was coming back, but honestly, I have no idea why I plunked down all that cash.”

Fuck, it sounded crazy. “When I picture Blackheath, I don’t see Marley. Sometimes I can’t even remember what she looked like in the morning when she used to roll over and kiss me. That was my favorite time of the day. But I don’t remember the details. Shouldn’t I remember the details?”

Teague said nothing, but he was there, and that was enough.

“I don’t think about her every day, and I feel like the biggest asshole on the planet because of it.”

“You’re not an asshole,” Teague said quietly. “You’ve just learned to live again. You’ve found someone else for Blackheath. There’s nothing wrong with that. You just need to close thi

s chapter. You need to know what the hell happened so that you can move on, and if by some miracle Marley is still out there, you’ll deal with it. I’ve got your back, bro.”

It took a few seconds for Tucker to dislodge the giant freaking lump in his throat. “Thanks for being here. It means a lot.”

“I’m just glad I was around when the shit hit.” Teague opened the door. “Okay. We gonna do this?”

Tucker followed his brother and Romero Sanchez down the familiar halls. They took the elevator to the fourth floor and then continued down the hallway until they paused just outside the door.

Dr. Garcia met them and after they all shook hands, the doctor motioned to the door. “She’s doing well. A very strong woman, and she wants very much to talk to you. Please, follow me.”

“I’ll wait out here,” Teague said. “If you need anything, just give a shout.”

Tucker didn’t wait. He didn’t stop to think. He just did.

He followed the doctor inside and strode toward the bed, all focus on the woman whose pale blue eyes found him immediately.

The doctor smiled gently and took her hand. “This is Mr. Simon. He’s come a long way to see you.” Dr. Garcia repeated his words in Spanish and then glanced over to Tucker. “Her English isn’t that good, so I can help with the translating if that’s all right?”